Castleknock Celtic under 9 soccer team

There was great tension for our quarter final match against Howth. We knew the match would be tight because we had been level until the final 5 minutes in our previous match. The sun was shining brightly when we arrived in Porterstown. The Howth team were late turning up, so it looked for a while that we might even get a walk over.

However, once the match got under way it was clear that this was going to be no easy match. Howth started to attack early and were awarded a penalty for a dubious hand-ball in the area. Lucky for us they kicked the ball over the bar, although Cathal was well lined up to save it anyway.

Shortly afterwards, Howth managed to score a goal and take the lead. Our captain Nado was ably assisted by Omar, David and Robert to dominate the mid-field and kept a strong supply of balls into Niamh and Zhudi in the attack. However, we were unable to break through and the score remained 1-0 at half time.

In the second half we kept the pressure up and their goalie was barely able to control a header and follow up shot from Niamh. Shortly afterwards Zhhudi leveled the scores.

Despite several attacks from Howth, they were unable to break through the rock-solid defense of Frank and Andy. Our goalie Cathal was more than able for any ball that came through so the match ended level 1-1.

We started the extra-time strongly. The fact that all our players had a chance to rest while being subbed out, gave us an advantage because we had fresher legs. As we got near to the end of the first half of extra-time our man-of-the-match Dylan scored the winning goal with a brilliant shot from outside the penalty area.

Howth did everything they could to try and level the score, but our defence was too strong and we held out until the final whistle. We now are all looking forward to the semi-final.

Labels: match_report

We will be playing at home for our shield quarter final match next Saturday 31/March. Kick-off will be at 10:45am in Porterstown Park so we should meet there by 10:30am. We will play the winner of the Howth v Malahide match (this result is not in yet).

Labels: fixtures

The sun was shining brightly as Priorswood came to Porterstown for our first round match in the shield.

Proirswood took us by surprise with a strong start. The match was barely started when they took the lead. We were just recovering from that shock when they slipped in a second goal. Our defence was a little loose with their marking and goalie Zhudi had no chance to save either goal.

I was delighted to see that we did not get disheartened by this early set back. Andy and Cathal sorted out their marking and there was no more easy shots given away. Robert, Omar and Nado began to dominate the mid-field and sent several good balls in to Niamh in the forwards.

The pressure eventually paid off when Nado opened the scoring for us. Niamh forced the Priorswood goalie to make a few excellent saves, before Nado managed to get in for a second goal to level the scores. Castleknock continued to attack strongly for the rest of the first half. During one attack several players had shots saved, before Nado finally managed to get a dramatic header into the upper corner of the net to complete his hat trick and give us the lead at half time.

In the second half, today's captain Cathal took over the goal keeping duties which gave Zhhudi a chance to join David in attack, while Frank and Colin came in to take over the defending duties. For most of the second half it looked likely that our one goal lead might be enough to see us through, but Priorswood had other ideas and scored an equaliser with about 5 minutes to go.

Most of the spectators were expecting the match to go into extra time, but Nado our hat trick hero was not happy to give in and he kept attacking and managed to score a fourth goal in the last minute of the game, to set a new scoring record for our team.

This was a great team effort overall with every one of the players doing their bit. It was difficult to decide who would get the man-of-the-match award, but eventually we decided that Robert deserved credit for a hugely improved display.

Next Thursday 22nd of March will be out last date for indoor training in Diswellstown. The following Thursday 29th of March we will have our first outdoor training session at 6:30pm on Laurel lodge green (the earlier start time will be required to ensure we have enough light).

Labels: notices

Our next match will be a home match against Priorswood in the first round of the shield. Kick-off will be at 11:30am on Saturday next 24th of March. Since it will be a home match we should meet up at 11:15 at Porterstown.

A winner will be required from this match, so if the score is level at the end of normal time, we will play 5 minutes a side of extra time. If it is level at the end of extra time, we will go for penalties.

Labels: fixtures

The match against Dunshaughlin on Bank Holiday Monday has been called off due to the weather.

Labels: fixtures

Our next match is a home match against Dunshaughlin. The kick-off is at 1pm on Monday the 19th of March. We should meet up at 12:45 at Porterstown. PLease let us know if you are not available.

Labels: fixtures

There was a strong gale blowing when we arrived for the game against Ratoath Harps. We were playing into the wind in the first half, so it was no surprise when we went a goal down. In fact if it was not for some great defending by Cathal, Frank, Andy and Dylan and a few great saves from Nado we probably would have gone a few more goals behind. In a rare attack into the wind, Zhudi managed to slip the ball into the net to level the score at 1-1 going into the break.

The second half was started before Omar arrived. He ran from the car park to the pitch and joined the match straight away. A few seconds later the ball came to him and he dribbled around the defender and coolly scored a goal to put us into a 2-1 lead about eight seconds after he came onto the pitch.

From that point onwards Castleknock used the advantage of the wind to dominate the game. Omar scored another goal and his brother Zhudi scored 2 more goals to complete his hat-trick and earn him the man-of-the-match award.

We were 5-1 up as the match neared an end and Nado decided to give cheek to the referee. This resulted in a Ratoath penalty which they scored with the last kick of the game to leave the score at 5-2.

Well done team !!!

Click here to see some pictures.

Labels: match_report

Our next match will be an away match against Ratoath Harps. The kick-off will be at 11:30 on Saturday 11th of March in their Skryne Road grounds. We should meet up at 10:30am beside the all weather pitch.

Labels: fixtures